NBC To Televise Three Avalanche Games

NEW YORK - Aug. 9, 2006 - NBC drops the puck on its second NHL on NBC season Jan. 13, 2007, with regional coverage of three games, highlighted by an Original Six clash between the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers; the Pittsburgh Penguins visiting the Philadelphia Flyers for Pennsylvania bragging rights and the Los Angeles Kings traveling to St. Louis to play the Blues.

NBC Sports expands its NHL regular season coverage to nine weeks, up from six weeks last season (see complete regular season schedule below), and following the Saturday debut, games will move to Sunday afternoon.

Schedule highlights include a duel between sophomore sensations Sidney Crosby of the Penguins facing off against Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Feb. 18. The New York Islanders will host their archrival, the Rangers, on March 25; the Detroit Red Wings will play the Colorado Avalanche twice on NBC, Jan. 28 and March 4; and the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes play two NBC games, visiting the Atlanta Thrashers on March 4 and the Rangers on March 11.

The Bruins, Dallas Stars, Red Wings, Flyers, Penguins and Rangers have the most appearances on NBC's NHL schedule with four each. In total, 20 of the 24 U.S.-based NHL teams will make at least one appearance on NBC.

The NHL returned to NBC last season with a full slate of games for the first time since the 1974-75 season.

2007 NHL ON NBC REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES ET EXCEPT AS NOTED)